If you’re new to the concept of green smoothies, then you’re in for a treat. If you’re already familiar with them, then I’d love to hear your take on this post – as well as your personal favorites. If you’ve been around me for any length of time, you’ve probably seen me down at least a few “green smoothies”. What are these wild green drinks and why on earth would you want to drink one?
Green smoothies are fruit smoothies with added greens…blended in. It almost sounds outrageous until you get ahold of one and experience it firsthand. The truth is, green smoothies actually taste just like fruit smoothies, but deliver an unparalleled level of nutrition and personal energy for your day.
This morning is the perfect example: I woke up and relaxed to a tall glass of water first thing, and then made my way downstairs to the home gym setup for an amazing budokan workout (a vigorous blend of yoga, martial arts and meditation). The best post-workout meal? Read the rest of this entry »
The further we dig back in history, the more it seems that fasting has always been an important part of many cultures throughout the world. Fasting has been known for its spiritual value for ages, whether it was used as part of a purely spiritual path or as a religious ritual. There’s always been some mystical quality to fasting, something outside of our traditional range of awareness. Today, I’d like to dive into fasting and really explore its effects on the mind and body – and why its proven itself to be the most effective method of healing through the ages.
The most profound benefits of fasting come no doubt through the channel of the mind. While bodily benefits and physical healings can be astounding, the mental clarity and enhanced awareness brought on by fasting are the most valuable assets, in my personal opinion. Just imagine yourself waking up in the morning and downing that tall glass of water. You feel great, hydrated and clear-minded, right? Now if you go ahead and eat a breakfast loaded with sugar, you’ll start to feel the buzz of a sugar high, coupled with a loss of focus and concentration – a foggy mind. If you combine all sorts of foods together that don’t mix well, you’ll have chaos in your stomach and your mind! So what you eat does dramatically affect your mental faculties. Read the rest of this entry »
We’ve all heard it before: the classic “8 glasses of water a day” statement. Is there any truth behind that at all? Absolutely not. Hydration differs from person to person, but it is one of the most important factors in your health and energy levels. In fact, many people are severely dehydrated and have no idea! Dehydration is one of the most common culprits of chronic fatigue, low energy and negative emotions.
Think about the difference between a plump, juicy grape and a shriveled raisin. Essentially, that’s the hydration factor! So the goal is always to maintain that optimal level of hydration in our bodies, with the highest quality water possible. But how do we go about doing that? If it’s not 8 glasses a day, what is it? Read the rest of this entry »
I’ll say it outright: the raw food movement is growing by leaps and bounds. Thousands and thousands of people are finding out about “raw foodists” all over the world that are living in levels of health and energy that are simply unheard of in the modern world. People are stopping and even reversing the aging process, never getting sick and living life to the fullest while enjoying some of the best-tasting foods on the planet. The secret? It’s all raw. Read the rest of this entry »
I just finished reading a great article about mood and energy, and how much your energy levels can affect your mood, self-esteem, and accordingly all of your thoughts, words and actions. When we’re vibrant and full of energy, feeling good comes naturally and it’s easy to get in that workout, eat right and smile all day at work while you get things done. But when we don’t have energy? It may be harder to find yourself in a good mood, and a lot easier to reach for emotional comforts in the way of food, tv or anything else.
Through optimal nutrition, it’s possible to get to a state where you naturally enjoy boundless energy and high moods – all the time. Instead of covering that here, I’m working on a 3-part video series that’ll go over that topic in the context of how to never get sick again. So while that project is being carried out, we’ll go over the best 3 ways to raise both your energy levels and your mood. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted by John Brackett | Posted in Longevity, Optimal Nutrition | Posted on 02-09-2009
I’d be surprised if you said you haven’t heard at least one person mention the media coverage of superfoods like acai, pomegranate and raw chocolate (cacao). It’s almost been a frenzy lately, and more and more people are wondering how to make sense of it all. When we get down to it though, there’s really nothing crazy about it – rather, it all comes down to a simple understanding of antioxidants and their pivotal role in maintaining vibrant health, youth and longevity.
The antioxidants we get from our diet go to work in the body preventing oxidation of the cells. What does this mean? Read the rest of this entry »
